In this fascinating book, Jan Timman portrays ten World Chess Champions that played an important role in his life and career. Each portrait is completed by a rich selection of illustrative games, annotated in the author’s trademark lucid style. Always to the point, sharp and with crystal-clear explanations, Timman shows the highs and lows from the games of the champions, including the most memorable games he himself played against them.

Mikhail Chigorin (1850-1908), the first great Russian chess master, belongs to that select group of exceptionally strong players who did not quite succeed in winning the world championship. He remains universally admired for his creative and courageous style of play. He would always play to win, not only by his famed dashing attacks but also by precise calculation of variations, purposeful maneuvering and exploitation of positional weaknesses, artful defense and refined endgame play. This book is a hugely expanded second edition of a book published in 1987.

Mikhail Chigorin (1850-1908), the first great Russian chess master, belongs to that select group of exceptionally strong players who did not quite succeed in winning the world championship. He remains universally admired for his creative and courageous style of play. He would always play to win, not only by his famed dashing attacks but also by precise calculation of variations, purposeful maneuvering and exploitation of positional weaknesses, artful defense and refined endgame play. This book is a hugely expanded second edition of a book published in 1987.

Bent Larsen (1935-2010) was one of the greatest fighters chess has ever seen. In his rich career the great Dane defeated all World Champions from Botvinnik to Karpov. He was a Candidate for the World Championship four times and became one of the most successful tournament players of his time. His uncompromising style and his unorthodox thinking made him popular with chess players all around the globe.

In this monumental book, originally published in 1989 in a limited edition and highly sought after by chess collectors, Jimmy Adams brings Zukertort’s masterpieces to the notice of today’s chess world and secures his rightful place in history as an important link between the old combinational and the modern positional school.

Every chess player who is serious about improving his game, should study the lessons of Aron Nimzowitsch (1886-1935). 'My System' (published in 1925) and 'Chess Praxis' (1928) had tremendous impact and made Nimzowitsch one of the most influential chess thinkers of the 20th century. His books continue to be printed, sold and read to this day. Reinhardt’s collection starts where Nimzowitsch’s second volume Chess Praxis ends. It offers a unique view of the chess world of the late 1920s and 1930s, its top tournaments and the state of theory.

“Chuky, you’re a genius.” Leading grandmasters have been heard to whisper these words, impressed with yet another brilliancy of Vassily Ivanchuk. The Ukrainian wizard, immensely popular with pros and amateurs alike, has been a member of the world elite for more than twenty years and is one of the most active players on the international circuit.

“Chuky, you’re a genius.” Leading grandmasters have been heard to whisper these words, impressed with yet another brilliancy of Vassily Ivanchuk. The Ukrainian wizard, immensely popular with pros and amateurs alike, has been a member of the world elite for more than twenty years and is one of the most active players on the international circuit.

One of the most effective ways to improve your chess is to take a world class-player as your example. By collecting his games, studying his choices and examining his style, you will understand what made him rise to the very top. This is what Guido Kern and Jurgen Kaufeld have done with Swedish chess legend Ulf Andersson, a positional genius with a crystal-clear style, who rose to the number 4 spot of the FIDE world rankings.